Best Dog Gate

Importance of Canine Safety

When it comes to your pet’s safety, you want only the best dog gate to keep them confined. Sometimes it simply isn’t practical or safe for your dog to have the run of the house. When you need to keep your pet confined to certain areas, a good dog gate is essential.

However, a poorly-made dog gate can actually prove quite dangerous for your pet. Shoddy gates can break when your dog jumps on them, posing as a danger or giving them access to potentially dangerous areas and undermining your training.

Whether you’re housetraining a puppy or simply trying to keep your pet out of trouble, you need the best dog gate for your pet. Different dogs have different needs, but all pet gates should have sturdy construction with materials safe for dogs and other pets.

The Five Best Dog Gates

Throughout my years as a certified dog trainer, my clients and my own dogs have tested numerous pet products, including a wide variety of gates. I have used that experience to create an all-encompassing guide to the best dog gates on the market.

Each of these products has a certain scenario or feature that sets it apart from the rest: durability, all-around use, value, etc. It is difficult to provide an all-encompassing choice of which dog gate is best, but we have ranked them in terms of quality, price, versatility, ergonomy, and more.

Here is our unbiased review of the top 5 best dog gates available!

Best Dog Gate for Your Pet

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… The color is nice. It looks more expensive than it is. The arched gate adds a nice look, even if it isn’t centered when using all of the expander panels. I’m happy with it …”

“… This gate works great. The metal is very strong and sturdy. I definitely recommend this product if you have baby or a puppy. Great product!…”

“… This is a strong, sturdy gate and does exactly what it’s intended to do. You’ll be happy with the end product …”

buy now
$74.99

If anything is a testament to the quality of a product, it is when a dog trainer uses it personally with their own pets. This is the dog gate I have had for nearly a decade. You can easily open and close the gate, its bronze color looks nice in the home, and it is just tall enough for most dogs.

Feature Highlights:

  • Made with sturdy metal construction.
  • Pressure mounted for easy installation.
  • Beautiful decorative bronze color and arched gate.

This gate is a great blanket recommendation for most dogs. However, you should not choose it for tiny small breeds that might squeeze right in between the bars. In addition, it might not be tall enough for Olympic-level jumpers or dogs with severe separation anxiety.

For the vast majority of dogs, this gate provides a safe, sturdy, and aesthetically pleasing option. In addition, you can easily open and close the gate, but your dog cannot. All in all, this gate makes for a wonderful top option for most pets. Recommended for: Rough Collies, Labrador Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, and more.

Best Value Dog Gate

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… Really I just love this thing overall! It’s not a cheap gate that junks up the place, it actually looks pretty nice! The extensions are amazing! …”

“… This gate is extremely easy to put together. When installed correctly this thing is strong. Overall, this thing has been great to deter our little guy from unwanted exploring …”

“… This gate is brilliant… easy to set up… stays in place and does not loosen over time. This gate is outstanding and seriously is the best one I’ve ever owned …”

buy now
$34.99

This gate is a great value product that works well for many pets. It provides a barrier for larger animals while still giving you the option to allow cats or small dogs to pass through the smaller door. In addition to its unique construction, you can also easily pass through the gate using the door.

Feature Highlights:

  • Extensions for wider doors and hallways allow for versatile use.
  • Features 8″ x 8″ small pet door.
  • Constructed with durable steel for long use.

You should definitely use some common sense before you jump on the price tag of this item. This gate, though it has durable construction, does not reach the heights of some of the other products on this list. It stands about 30″ tall, which means that larger dogs or dogs prone to jumping will simply hop over this product.

However, this product is perfect for smaller dogs or those well-behaved (or just lazy) who will not vault over the top of the gate. So, pet owners who do not need to build Alcatraz to keep their pet contained, this is the product for you. Recommended for: Beagles, Maltese, Australian Shepherds, Dachshunds, and more.

Best Gate for Small Breeds

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… We bought 2 of these retractable gates and LOVE them. When retracted, they may as well not exist because they don’t affect our ability to move freely around the house. Solid product that feels well made …”

“… Very nice, great quality… I’m really pleased with this gate. The quality of the gate itself is very nice, too. 100% would buy again …”

“… Works fantastic and very affordable. I liked everything about it. Easy to install and affordable …”

buy now
$49.91

If you have a small breed with a tendency to slip through the bars of other gates, this product just might be the best bet for you. With a single sheet of mesh, your dog has no bars to slip between. Another great perk is the fact that the product retracts out of the way when not in use!

Feature Highlights:

  • Easily retractable for convenient storage when not in use.
  • Made with durable mesh for long-lasting use.
  • Mounts securely into the wall.

As is the case with most of these products, this gate functions well for some dogs and not for others. If your pet is large and determined enough, they can simply push themselves under the gate or hop over the top. Additionally, if your dog chews or scratches, this material will not stand up to lengthy abuse.

However, this product is incredibly useful and convenient for pet owners with small breed or well-behaved dogs. It lets you restrict your pet to certain areas, but easily retracts out of the way when not in use. Recommended for: Chihuahuas, Shih-Tzus, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Dachshunds, and more.

Best Tall Dog Gate

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… With all other baby gates, [my dogs] can just hop right over it with no problem… With this gate, they stay securely behind it and there’s nothing they can do about it …”

“… They work great! Easy to use and install. I love that they can be adjusted to fit larger spaces (or smaller). The gate is wide enough that larger people can fit through it easily. There isn’t anything I don’t like about them …”

“… Looks decent, feels sturdy, easy to use… with this height, I am now certain, that she wont be able to jump over it… this gate is definitely worth it and I am finally at peace …”

buy now
$39.99

As far as extra tall dog gates go, you can’t find much better than this. This product provides solid construction, exceptionally tall height, and the option to securely screw the gate into the wall as well. Overall, if your pet is a bit of a Houdini, you won’t find a better option.

Feature Highlights:

  • Stands at 41 in. tall to contain most pets.
  • Optional hardware to securely screw to wall or door frame.
  • Easy to open and close gate, securely latches when not in use.

Now, I’ve seen some seriously athletic dogs, and I’m not about to guarantee that your pet cannot jump this gate. With that said, this product provides your best option for high-flying, sneaky climbing, battering-ram dogs that escape most confinement.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a gate taller than this one. It provides a strong barrier against even the most adamant of dogs. If you need a tall gate to keep your pet contained, this product is your best bet. Recommended for: Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, German Shorthair Pointers, Labrador Retrievers, and more!

Prettiest Dog Gate

Buy Now
Review Highlights:

“… This gate is beautiful and perfect! Easy to instal and easy to follow instructions (even with a migraine). Was very pleased with how pretty it looks once up (and very sturdy) …”

“… This is a really good gate, and I’ve used tons. What really sticks out to me about this gate is how sturdy it is. When the door swings shut, the gate doesn’t move or shift… the gate is very nice looking. No more of those white plastic abominations …”

“… I love this gate. It also looks nice, unlike those tacky plastic ones. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a gate that looks nice, works well, and is easy to install …”

buy now
$44.98

This product has an astoundingly affordable price for the quality. Not only is this gate sturdy and well-built, but it also includes unique features you can’t find in most gates. The beautiful pattern on the door makes this product a fashion statement, not an eyesore.

Feature Highlights:

  • Decorative door with bronze finish looks nice in all homes.
  • Stands at 30″ tall to contain most pets.
  • Pressure mount easily installs in most doors and hallways.

If you need a standard pet gate, this product is a great option. It provides a beautiful decorative door without forfeiting quality. However, like most gates, this product likely will not withstand Olympic-level jumpers and dogs with severe separation anxiety.

Thankfully, for most pet owners, this gate provides a solid barrier that will keep their dog contained. One of the best features is the ability to leave the gate open without it swinging loosely about, this makes it easy to move about the house without having to continually open the gate. Recommended for: Shetland Sheepdogs, Golden Retrievers, Yorkies, Border Collies, and more.